Lights fantastic! Bright start to the festive season

THE Angel Gabriel revealed the birth of Jesus, and the borough’s Angel will this weekend light up to signal the start of the Christmas season.

There will be an unprecedented three light switch-on taking place on Saturday – first, in Chapel Market at 3.30pm, then Camden Passage at 4.30pm, and the finale will be at 5pm at Angel Central shopping centre, where Santa will press the switch.

“This will be fantastic and it will be the first time lights will go from Islington Green to the Town Hall,” said Christine Lovett, chief executive of Angel London, which represents businesses. “Every tree that can be wrapped will be wrapped. And we’ll have face painting, violinists and a photo booth,” she added.

Ms Lovett said Saturday will be special because it marks the return of Thai Square restaurant, the final business to make a come back to Camden Passage following last Decem­ber’s devastating floods.

Six businesses in the iconic antiques quarter shut up shop for good while the deluge caused millions of pounds worth of damage.

“It’s been a very difficult year for everyone, and we want to tell everyone we are back in business” said Ms Lovett.